I am not going to sugar coat it — this is not easy work. It is manual labor that will have you in attics when it is hotter than a jalapeño’s armpit and down in crawlspaces in freezing temperatures. You may be working nights, weekends, and holidays during the busy season, when the temperatures are at their most extreme, but, rest assured, you will be well compensated.

HVAC contractors are always looking for a way to differentiate themselves. Addressing duct leakage is a big opportunity. This is something building professionals are concerned about, so it should be an area of focus for contractors.

None of us can possibly have any idea what this industry will look like or where it will be in 125 years, but you can take incremental steps to stay in front of the competition, get out ahead of changes to the marketplace, and decide which trends to follow.

Industry educators have told me over and over again that the younger techs entering the trades generally either possess the technical skills to do the job or can be trained in those skills easily enough, yet they often lack the ability to communicate effectively with the customer both in writing and in person.